COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
College: Communication
Degree: B. S., B. A.
Limited Access: YES
Contact: Advising Center
Address: 4115 University Center, Bldg C
Tallahassee, FL 32306-2664
Phone: 850-644-7278
E-Mail: Advisor@comm.fsu.edu

Description of Major
The basic mission of the Department of Communication Disorders is to prepare speech-language pathologists and audiologists to provide clinical services to individuals with speech, language, and hearing impairments. The curriculum leading to the baccalaureate degree offers liberal arts education in human communication and its disorders. Students learn about anatomy and physiology of the speech and hearing mechanisms; sound and its perception; the development of language and communication systems; the components of the English sound system; the neurological bases of speech, language and hearing; and strategies used in the management and evaluation of speech, language and hearing impairments. The baccalaureate degree also offers pre-professional education for graduate programs in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. The major professional educational and clinical experiences occur during graduate studies leading to the masters degree, which is the minimum educational level for entrance into the profession. Most states license private practitioners. In addition to practicing directly with persons having disorders, some professionals pursue research, others teach and still others enter into administration of programs and agencies in the field. This field has a shortage of personnel.

Prerequisite Coursework:  None.
However, MAC 1105 and STA 2122 are recommended to fulfill Liberal Studies (general education) math requirements and one biological science and one physical science are preferred in completing the Liberal Studies science requirement. 

Admission Requirements to Major Program of Studies
Students are admitted into this major for the Fall Term only.  Admission to the University does not ensure admission to the Department, nor does attainment of the minimum grade point average, as this is a limited access/limited enrollment program. Formal application to the department is required of all entering majors. Please visit the department website, http://comm.fsu.edu/CommDisDept/, regarding the application process and deadlines.  Minimum requirements for review of application include an overall GPA of 2.8 on all college work attempted.  Students must have passed or been exempted from CLAST before applying and must have all Liberal Studies (general education) coursework, Gordon Rule coursework, and a minimum of 43 hours completed by the end of the term in which they apply.  Although it is not a requirement of the major, students may elect to pursue teacher certification in the area of Speech-Language Impaired. This may be accomplished at the graduate level by being formally admitted to Teacher Education through the Office of Student Services, Room 108 Stone Building. This procedure is administered by the Dean of the College of Education and is distinct from admission to the Department of Communication Disorders. Teacher certification in the area of Speech-Language Impaired requires completion of a master’s degree in Communication Disorders. Students may also apply directly to the State Department of Education for teacher certification in the area of Speech-Language Impaired if they have completed the required teacher education course work and have completed the master’s degree.

Mapping
Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system.  Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion.  Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors.   You may view the map for this major at
www.academic-guide.fsu.edu.

Major Program of Studies at FSU:  60 hours
To qualify for graduation from the major, all undergraduates in Communication Disorders must earn a grade of ”C-”or better for each required major course.  Students are expected to maintain a 3.0 GPA in major coursework.
Undergraduate Program Requirements: 60 hours
Required coursework (40 hrs)
LIN 3200 (3) Fundamentals of Phonetics
LIN 3200L (1) Fundamentals of Phonetics Lab
LIN 3710 (3) Normal Communication Development
SPA 3002 (3) Introduction to Speech, Language, Hearing Disorders and Services
SPA 4011C (4) Introduction to Communication Science
SPA 4101C (4) Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech Mechanism
SPA 4104 (3) Neurological Bases of Communication
SPA 4255 (3) Developmental Communication Disorders
SPA 4257 (3) Acquired Communication Disorders
SPA 4302 (3) Introduction to Clinical Audiology
SPA 4302L (1) Introduction to Clinical Audiology Lab
SPA 4321 (3) Aural Rehabilitation
SPA 4056 (3) Clinical Methods
SPA 4800 (3) Research Evaluation
Required electives (20 hrs)
Students select and complete an additional 20 hours of approved elective coursework.

Graduate Program: 60 hours
A master’s degree is required to qualify to be certified and licensed in either Audiology or Speech Pathology. Students are therefore encouraged to continue their studies. Completion of the baccalaureate degree does not guarantee admission into the graduate program, however. Consult an advisor for details of program requirements or see the departments website at http://comm.fsu.edu/CommDisDept/ .

Minor.  A minor is not required.

Language requirement:  0-12 hours
Students formally admitted into the Communication Disorders major must achieve proficiency in a language other than English prior to graduation.  Students may fulfill this requirement either by demonstrating proficiency at the intermediate (2000) level in a modern or classical language or at the advanced level in sign language (ASL 2160C).  Students may satisfy this requirement either by proficiency testing or by taking coursework.  All courses taken to meet this requirement must be taken for a letter grade; S-U grading will not be accepted.  Contact the department for details.

Computer Skills Competency:  2 hours.  CGS 2082 (2).

Oral Communication Competency:  0-3 hours
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly.  This requirement may be met through appropriate high school speech training or with an approved college-level course.

Total Hrs. Required, B. S. or B. A. 120.   M. S. requires an additional 60
Liberal Studies 36*
Major Coursework, B.S. 60
Minor Coursework 0
Language Requirement 0-12 (depending on testing/placement)
Computer Skills 2
Oral Communication Competency 0-3
Electives to bring total credits to 120
*Certain Liberal Studies & elective courses are recommended.  Contact the Advising Center at (850) 644-7278.

Remarks:
1. 60 hours must be earned at a senior institution.
2. The final 30 hours must be in residence at FSU.
3. A minimum of 40 hours must be earned at the 3000/4000 (junior/senior) level.
4. The B. A. degree requires completion of a foreign language through the intermediate (2200) level and 9 additional hours in the fields of history and humanities beyond liberal studies.

Employment Information
Representative Job Titles Related to this Major (M. S. Degree): Audiologist, Consultant (Speech/Hearing Disorders), Speech-Language Pathologist, Clinician (Speech /Hearing), Researcher, Therapist (Speech and Hearing), Teacher: University or College.

Representative Employers: Hospitals, Community Health Centers, Public Schools, Private Practice, Business and Industry (limited), Universities, Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies.